Pembroke rezones land for planned subdivision

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PEMBROKE — The Pembroke Town Council on Monday rezoned 15 acres of land outside of town to accommodate the construction of apartments and townhouses in the Hunter’s Run subdivision.

The councilmen also postponed until Oct. 23 a public hearing on a proposed solar farm in Pembroke.

The land, which was rezoned from from a Residential to a Multiple-Family, is part of the 135- to 140-acre subdivision that would be built near Candy Park Road and N.C. 711 and include shops and a movie theater. No date has been set to start construction.

“We’re ready and raring to move forward,” said Todd Meckley, president of Entasis Designs, the architectural firm that will oversee construction.

Town Manager Oryan Lowry said the subdivision would benefit Pembroke.

“I’ve been working with them on this project for the last six months,” Lowry said, adding that the subdivision would “actually [be] offering entertainment value to the town.”

The Town Council made its decision during the second public hearing held on Hunter’s Run.

Brian Jacobs, a pastor at Our Freedom Ministries Church, said he wants to move his congregation from the Revels Funeral Home chapel to a new sanctuary on Candy Park Road.

“Our worship services can get pretty loud,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to get a phone call or a visit from the Pembroke Police Department telling us to turn our music down.”

Meckley said Entasis will try to accommodate the needs of the church and subdivision during construction.

“We’ll keep as much natural vegetation as we can between the houses and church property,” he said.

Mayor Milton Hunt said the church and Hunter’s Run can coexist peacefully.

The council was expected to hold a public hearing on a proposed solar farm on Monday, but Town Attorney Gary Locklear said the matter must go before the Planning Board before the Town Council can make a decision.

The Planning Board’s next meeting is on Oct. 22 at 4 p.m. The councilmen decided to move the public hearing to Oct. 23 at 7 p.m.

“It’s better to err on the side of caution and postpone this hearing,” Locklear said. “I apologize to the folks who are here tonight and expected a hearing.”

In other business, the Town Council:

— Heard a report from police Officer Eric Locklear, who said the department will bring in officers from surrounding towns on Oct. 31 to provide extra security for trick-or-treaters, the Peace in the Park Giggles and Ghouls event and The University of North Carolina at Pembroke’s Homecoming parade.

— Heard a report from Loretta Smith, chair of the ABC Board, who said “we’ve had one of the best months since we’ve been open.” Smith credited the televised football game between UNCP and Winston-Salem State University on Sept. 5 for the spike in alcohol sales.

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